QATAR will be full of superstars but for many it will likely be their final World Cup.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Thiago Silva have had lengthy careers full of success but have never tasted World Cup glory.
And that means they will never have their hands on the trophy if their teams fall short over the next couple of months.
For others the upcoming tournament simply presents a chance at a final farewell to the competition, with many World Cup veterans set to feature.
Here, SunSport takes a look at an XI of the oldest players who could take to the pitch in Qatar.
Eiji Kawashima
Kawashima, 39, plays for Ligue Un side Strasbourg and has won 95 caps for Japan.
The goalkeeper is set to feature in his fourth World Cup next month and will be aiming to make it past the second round for the first time.
Dani Alves
The Barcelona and Brazil legend, 39, is hoping to get a call up after being left out of the most recent national team squad in September.
Brazil boss Tite could be keen to have Alves’ experience and influence in his dressing room with the right-back boasting 125 caps.
Thiago Silva
Another Brazilian colossus, Silva still plays regularly for club and country and has shown good form for Chelsea in recent weeks.
The 39-year-old has featured in three World Cups and famously was suspended for Brazil’s embarrassing 7-1 defeat semi-final to Germany on home soil in 2014.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
- England vs Iran – all you need to know for Three Lions’ opener
- USA vs Wales – all the TV and live stream info for Dragons’ first World Cup match in 64 years
Sergio Ramos
A World Cup winner, the Paris Saint-Germain centre-back is now in his twilight years aged 36.
He has won an astonishing 180 caps and despite a 20-month exile from the national team after a disappointing move to PSG, he has still been tipped for a shock return to the fold.
Jan Vertonghen
Once part of the Belgian golden generation, former Tottenham defender Vertonghen could feature at centre-back or left-back for the Red Devils.
Vertonghen, 35, helped Belgium to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup after beating England in the third-place play-off.
Andres Guardado
The Mexico legend, 36, will get one last hurrah in Qatar after confirming he will retire at the end of the tournament, having represented his country 177 times.
He is captain of El Tri and will hope his guile and experience sends his side through a group consisting of Argentina, Poland and Saudi Arabia.
Luka Modric
Modric was a star of the Russia World Cup and despite being 37 years old he shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
He played a key role for Real Madrid in their LaLiga and Champions league double last season and could help Croatia defy the odds odds once again in Qatar.
Bryan Ruiz
Once of Fulham fame, Bryan Ruiz now plays on home soil for Costa Rican top tier side LD Alajuelense.
The 37-year-old is more of a bit part player for Costa Rica these days and will likely have low expectations in a group containing Germany, Spain and Japan.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Manchester United star has been criticised by Portugal fans heading into the tournament but would love to silence the critics – just as he did at Euro 2016.
Ronaldo, 37, has lost his mojo this season but with Portugal considered a dark horse he could make his final World Cup one to remember.
Luis Suarez
The Uruguay striker has tremendous World Cup pedigree having helped his team reach the semi-final in 2010 after handballing on the line against Ghana.
He then helped to knock out England in the group stages in 2014 and although he is now 35, he has rediscovered his form for Nacional and would love to bow out of the international stage with a bang.
Olivier Giroud
Giroud, 36, helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and could play a similarly valuable role for Didier Deschamps’ side this time around.
The AC Milan striker is battling to get into a France attack with Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe also in the squad.
